Metal frame building



Aug- .6, 1935- w. '.J. MACDERMOTT 2,010,552

METAL FRAME BUILDING Filed May,2, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet'l Mlllllllllilllllllllllll n" Il il l] 3 l' u uw.

7 all 8 =l!IlllllIlllllllimllllllllllllllll IIv 7i* Aug. 6, 1935. w. J. McDERMo-'r 2,010,552

METAL FRAME BUILDING Filed May 2, 1935 5 sheets-sheet 2 WIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII Aug. 6, 1935. w. J. McDERMoTT METAL FRAME BUILDING Filed May 2, 1933 5 Sheets-Sh'eet 5 lPatented Aug. 6, 1935 PATENT OFFICE DIETAL FRAME BUILDING william J. Mener-mou, Port Robinson, Ontario, Canada Application May 2, 1933, Serial No. 668,918

' In Canada October 12, 1932 6 Claims.

This invention relates to a metal frame construction for buildings particularly small buildings such as dwelling houses and other similar small building structures.

While steel is widely used in the construction of oiice, factory and other large buildings, there `have been only very few dwelling houses or similar small buildings constructed with metal framing members. This is apparently due to the greater cost of construction compared with wood, together with certain mechanical disadvantages.

The present invention provides a metal framing structure for dwelling house and other small building structures that can be produced at small cost; that can be assembled at the place of erection without using special tools; that can be assembled with a minimum of labor through the use of interengaging and interlocking parts between beam members; that has main and supplemental vertical members cooperating with the horizontal members and interengaging connecting parts to distribute load stresses efficiently; that provides means for relieving the interengaging connecting parts of substantial direct load stresses; and thatf secures a cooperation of the vertical, horizontal and roof'forming members for securing quick assembly and erection of the framestructure to provide a substantially strong frame considering the size of beam members and other metals used .and which further provides for the use of welding where direct connections must be made at the place of erection.

The invention further provides a structure having connect-ing parts slidably interlocked to assemble the structure in which the connecting parts provide an eflcient attachment for beams but at the same time may be arranged so that they do not carry the full load between the parts so connected. These connecting parts facilitate metal frame construction with the use of Welded connections throughout.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a building frame structure for a dwelling house constructed ol?v metal members incorporating the features of this invention, only one end of the house construction being illustrated with portions of the roof framing members shown in dot and dash lines with the connector members omitted in order to eliminate unnecessary duplication vof detail, it being understood that the portions of the roof forming members shown in full lines illustrate the complete assembled structure of part of the roof, and that the remaining portions of the roof where the parts are shown in dotand dash lines will be completed in a similar manner.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of a portion of a house frame structure constructed according to the present invention.

Fig. 3 shows in perspective the arrangement of the connector members between the ridge pole, one of the roof framing members and a main vertical member, the parts being shown with the connector members carried by the ridge pole and l0 roof framing member in disassembled relation, the framing members being shown in dot and dash lines for convenience in illustration.

Fig. 4 illustrates Aa vertical and a horizontal beam member in dot and dash lines and the relation of the connector members carried thereby,

illustrating the details of construction of the connector members in perspective disassembled relation but aligned ready for assembly.

Fig. 5 illustrates the connector members for 20 connecting a, roof framing member with a hori- Zonta] member in perspective, the parts being in disassembled but aligned relation.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view .taken through the ridge pole and one of the roof framing members substantially on line 6--6 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a detail cross section taken on line 1 1 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a cross section taken on line 8 8 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is a cross section taken on line 9--3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. .10 is a cross section taken on line lll-Ill of Fig. 7.

The drawings illustrate a dwelling house construction but it is to be understood that the invention will apply equally as well to other types of small building structures of a similar character and that the illustration of a. dwelling house is to show one embodiment of the inven- 40 tion.

A suitable foundation is provided for the building in the customary manner and ls indicated in the drawings at I. 'This foundation may be of any conventional form customarily used for providing foundations for buildings of the character` illustrated. In providing the foundation for the metal framing structure of the present invention the positions of each of the column members are laid out on the foundation and the upper edge or face is leveled 01T so that the support for each column member is in the same horizontal plane. When the foundation is completed in this manner as illustrated in the drawings, which will probably bearranged at the level of the cellar i or basement portion of the building as illustrated in Figs. l and 2, the metal framing members forming the building frame are then placed in position and assembled on the foundation in a manner thatwill be hereinafter described.

It will be understood that all of the metal framing members forming the building frame constructed in accordance withthis invention have been previously manufactured to size and constructed in complete form ready for assembly, so that when the framing members are ready for erection on the foundation I, it is merely necessary to transport them to the place of erection and assemble them on the foundation. All of the parts forming the met-al framing structure of this invention are constructed and welded or otherwise assembled together at the manufacturing plant or shop ready for subsequent assembly at the pointy of erection. The construction and assembly of the metal framing members in the manner indicated' is to facilitate the manufacture of the [raming members at a central point where the l'necessary machinery, tools and equipment areavailable for the economical fabrication of the various parts that are necessary to constitute-the building frame so that they only-have to be assembled after being delivered to the placeaof erection by interengaging the interlocking-parts.

The main and supplemental vertical members 2 and 3 are first erected on the foundation I in the manner illustrated in Figs. l and 2 s o 'that they are positioned `in their proper spaced relation. These vertical members 2 and 3 may be suitably secured to the foundation whereupon the further erection of the frame structure proceeds by placing the cellar window framing members in position. These cellar window framing members comprise horizontal channel bars l that extend between the main and supplemental vertical l members 2 and 3 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and have a pair oi upright channel members secured in spaced relation thereon, so that members f2 and 5 cooperate to form the bottom and the sides of the cellar window opening.

The channel member d has a pair of. clips G forming connector sections secured adjacent opposite end portions, while complementary'connector sectionsin the form of I-beam sections indicated at l, are mounted on both the main and supplemental vertical members 2 and 3, so that the clips S on channel bar i may be interengaged in nterlocked relation with connector sections 'I by sliding clips 6 on to connector sections l through vertical downward movement. The ends of channel bar d engage the upper ends of I-beam sections 'I as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and seat on the upper ends. of these I- beamv sections so that the position of channel bar 4 relative to vertical members 2 and 3 is determined by this seating engagement of the ends of channel bar 4 on I-beam sections 1. This will position the upper ends of vertical channel members 5 on bar d at the proper height for welding to horizontal member 8.

A plurality of horizontal members 8 are provided to extend entirely around the building frame structure in order to supp-ort the first floor of the building. The main and supplemental vertical members 2 and 3 and horizontal members 8 are of tubular construction as illustrated in the drawings, for example, as shown in Figs, 4 and 7, and are each constructed of a pair of channel members having their free edge portions arranged in edge to edge relation. The free edges of these channel members in this edge tol edge relation form a substantially square tubular member and are welded together along the abutting edges of the channels to provide a rigid tubular structure.

All of the vertical and horizontal members are secured together by`m`eans of connector sections 6 and 1 similar in form to the connector sections 6 and l used for securing the cellar window frames in position but which of course may vary in size Aaccording to the size of the beam members being connected together and the load to be carried. The connector sections 6 and i that provide fo'.` the connection of a horizontal member 8 to a vertical member 2 or 3 will be of substantially heavy construction while the similar connector sections used for securing frame members for windows, doors and the like such as the channel bar 4 forming the cellar window-frame, may be secured` in place by connector sections that are relatively small. w

Each connector section 6 comprises, as illustratcd in Fig. 4. a strip of metaltormed to provide a pair of right angular extendinggporticns 9 and Ill. The portion 9 is applied to the underface of beam member 3 at the proper spaced position inwardly from the end thereof so as to be in surface contact with the surface of beam member 8, to which it is permanently welded; The portion I0 will then extend laterally downward from beam member 8 while the side edges of the portion I0 are provided with integral extensions II bent inwardly toward each other and overlying the portion I0 in spaced relation, so as to cooperate with, port-ion II) to form a socket. The

free ends of the lips or inwardly extending portions I I terminate in spaced relation as illustrated in Figs. 4 and rI.

On all of the vertical members connector sec- `I? to the vertical member cooperates in securing these channel members in assembled relation. The web portion I3 of connector section 'I extends laterally from the vertical member and the other side portion I@ of section 'i is supported in spaced parallel relation to portion I2. The clip 6 has portions l0 and II so formed that they are in complementary relation to side portion Ill and web I3 of section 1, in order that the portions II will engage the inner faces of side portion It while portion I0 of clip member 6 will engage the outer face thereof in the manner clearly illustrated in the drawings, for example, in Fig. 7. This provides an interlocking connection between a horizontal beam member 8 and a vertical member 2 or 3, and the end portion of thehorizontal beam seats on the upper end of connector section 1, while the clip mem- -ber prevents lateral separation of horizontal member 8 from the vertical members.

Therefore, it will be seen that the position of each horizontal member 8 in the building frame structure is determined by the position of connector section 'I on the vertical member. In manufacturing the vertical members atv the shop it therefore. becomes an easy matter to determine the proper position of each horizontal member .8 in the building structure, because it is only necessary to measure the distance alongr the vertical member for each of the connector secthe upper ends of connector 'sections 'I.

way a considerable portion of the stress is` ap tions 1, in view of the seating cooperation between the ends of the horizontal members and In this plied directly fro-m a horizontal member to a vertical member without affecting the interlocking connection between the connector sections 6 and l.

The manufacture of vertical, horizontal and other framing members can be obtained on a production basis by using welding forms for these members that will accurately position and hold the connector sections in proper position while being welded to the framing members.

The horizontal members' 8 are constructed so that they extend between main vertical members 2, and have the ends of the horizontal members terminating in substantial engagement with the sides of the main vertical members 2. Intermediate portions of horizontal members 8 engage the ends of supplemental vertical members 3. The horizontal members 8 and supplemental vertical members 3 are ksecured together by means of connector sections 6 and I in the manner shown in Figs. 1 and 2 through the provision of connector sections I at the ends of the supplemental vertical members on opposite sides thereof with the provision of connector sections 6 secured to the intermediate'portion of horizontal member 8 for interlocking' connection with connector sections 'I on supplemental vertical members 3.

With the use of the main and supplemental vertical members assembled with the horizontal members 8 in this manner, in forming the framing structure carrying the first fioor of the building, it will be seen that a substantial portion of load on the building at this level is distributed directly in end relation to the suppemental ver- .tical members 3 and by means of the I-beam connector sections 'I direct to the4 main vertical' members 2. In this way a cooperation is obtained between the parts that provides for the ready assembly of the horizontal andvertical members and the elicient cooperation of these members in their connected relation to distribute load stresses.

The horizontal members 8` are assembled in position by vertical downward sliding movement to engage connector sections 6 with connector sections 1, and when all of the vertical members 8 for the rst floor are in position, the upper ends of the cellar window framing channels 5 may be welded, thereto.

Then the erection of the building proceeds toward the second floor structure through rst positioning the window and door framing members generally indicated at I5 and I6 respectively, in assembled position, as shown in Figs.

1 and 2. Each window framing structure I5 comprises a pair of supplemental vertical members I1 in the form of channel bars arranged in opposed relation with their flanges extending outwardly. At the upper and lower ends of the channel bars I l are provided I-beam connector sections 'I assembled with clip sections 6v onrliorizontal members' 8. The lower ends are first assembled with'connector sections 6- on horizontal members 8 forming the rst floor supporting structure. This will position the window framing members I5 in position between the main vertical members 2 as shown in Figs. l and 2.

Intermediate the ends of channel members I1 are provided connector sections 'I for receiving connector sections 6 carried by horizontal channel' bars I8. The opposite ends of channel bars means of connector sections 6 and l carried respectively by the channel members I8 and vertical members 2.

This will assemble the window framing members I5 in position and hold them rigidly assembled between vertical members 2. Each Window framing member I5 in addition to including a pair of vertical channel members Il comprises top and bottom channel bars I9 that are welded at the ends to the channel members I'I in the desired spaced relation to define a window opening of the desired size. The channel. members I9 are welded at the shop to members I1 so as to form a rigid window vframing structure.

The door framing member I6 comprises a pair of spaced vertical channel members 29 that are mounted in s'pacedrrelation the proper distance apart to denne the door opening for the bui1ding by means of a channel member 2| having the ends welded thereto in position to define the top of the door opening. The lower ends of members 20 carry I-beam connector sections 'I that engage in clips 6 carried by horizontal member 8as shown in Fig. 1 and properly space the lower ends of channel members 20 to form the door opening. The channel bars I8 are provided with connector sections 6 cooperating with complementary sections 'I on channel members 20 and vertical members 2 so as to cooperate in securing the door framing members I6 in proper position in the building frame.

When these window and door framing members are assembled into the building between vertical members 2 in the manner above described, the structure is then ready to receive horizontal members 8 that are provided to form the second oor support. They are placed in position by vertical downward movement to engage the complementary connectorsections into'interlocked relation in the manner hereinbefore described, the assembled relation of horizontal members 8 for the second oor of the building being clearly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings. It will be understood that connector sections 6 are applied to the under face of the second oor horizontal members 8 in proper position to interengage in interlocked relation with the connector sections 1 carried by supplemental vertical channel members I1 and 20 forming the window and door framing members. The ends of the second floor horizontal members`8 are also secured to vertical members 2 by means of complementary `connector sections 6 and l carried by the respective members as above described.

If the building contains any additional stories above the second oor b eforethe roof is put in place, it will be understood that the framing members for the windows, doors and other parts carried by and above the second oor are made and arranged in position in the manner described for these framing members for the rst oor structure.

vT'hey are all assembled in relation by interengaging the connector sections together, so that in each case, the members that extend in horizontal relation will have portions of the under faces either intermediate the ends, or at the ends, seated at the upper ends of supplemental vertical members, or on the upper ends of connector sections I carried by main vertical members. The next part of the construction is the erection of the roof forming members and the parts associated therewith.

At the ends of the building as shown in Fig. 2

the central vertical member 2 extends from the foundation to the ridge of the roof and at the upper end is cut to provide a pair of angular portions 22 seating the ends of the end roof rafters 23 that extend in angular relation in the usual manner to form the support vfor the roof of the building. Connector sections 24 as shown in Fig. 3 formed of I-bcam sections similar to sections 1 are provided on opposite sides of central vertical member 2 at opposite ends of the building adjacent the upper end of vertical member 2.

The upper ends of sections 24 are beveled or inclined as shown in Fig. 3 to provide a further seat for the under surface of roof rafters 23. Complementary connector sections 25 constructed in exactly the same manner as sections 6 are provided on the under sides of rafters 23 adjacent the upper ends, the difference between sections 25 and sections 6 being that in the sections 25 the angular portions 26 and 21 are arranged in acute angular relation instead of in right angular relation as in sections 6, the portion 26 in each case being weldedto the under fa'ce of the rafter 23.

The rafters 23 are of tubular metal construction formed of channel members welded together at abutting edges in the same manner as vertical member 2 and horizontal members 8. The rafters 23 are assembled by vertical downward movement to interlock sections 25 with connector sections 24. At the same time connector sections 28 are interlocked in a corresponding manner with connector sections 29, these sections 28 and 29 being positioned at the lower ends of roofing rafters 23, the sections 28 being weldedtoV thel roofing rafters and sections 29 welded to horizontal members 8 except that, at the ends .of the building, where sections 29 are welded to the upper ends of the vertical members 2 arranged at the corners of the building.

Connector sections 28 are constructed in the same manner as sections 6 and 25 except that the portions 30 and 3| are arranged in obtuse angular relation as shown in Fig. 5, the portion 30 being welded to the under side of rafter 23 near the lower end thereof as illustrated in Fig. 2. The connector sections 29 are formed of I-beam sections that have the upper edges thereof beveled or inclined as indicated at 32 in Fig. 5 so that the under face of the lower end of rafters 23 seat on inclined faces 32 of sections 29.

After rafters 23 at the ends of the building are assembled in position as illustrated in the drawings, the ridge pole or beam 33 is then assembled into position. This ridge pole is of tubular cross section constructed from a pair of channel members welded at the edges in the same manner as horizontal members 8 and Vertical members 2, ridge pole 33 being arranged so that two adjacent sides thereof are in angular relation to the'vertlcal and in substantially perpendicular relation to roof rafters 23.

Connector sections 34 are welded to each end -portion of ridge pole 33 and are constructed as shown' in Fig. 3. being similar to connector sections 6 except that angular portion 35 extending substantially at right angles from portion 36 isA formed with angularly arranged portions 31 and 38 to have surface contact with a pair of adjacent faces on the underside-of ridge pole 33 to which portions 31 and 38 are rigidly welded. The connector sections 34 on the ends of ridge pole 33 are slidably interlocked by vertical downward movement with complementary connector'sections 39 on the inner faces of main vertical members 2 as shown in Fig. 3 in detail. The connector sections 39 are welded to main vertical members 2 and are formed of I-beam sections similar to sections 1, and mounted in a similar manner on vertical members 2. The sections 39 differ in structure from section 1 in that side portions 4K9 secured to vertical members 2 are formed at the upper end with extensions 4| having angular faces to receive the two adjacent under sides of ridge pole 33 at the ends of the ridge pole, so as to form a seat for the ends of the ridge pole to engage and seat on the upper ends of connector sections 39. The manner in which this cooperation between the parts is obtained will be clearly apparent from Fig. 3.

Intermediate the ends of the building, the ridge pole will have the under adjacent faces on either side provided at intervals with connector sections 1 welded thereto while connector sections 29 will be welded on to horizontal members' 8 at the sides of the building in corresponding position. These connector sections 1 and 29 intermediate the ends of the building will receive the interengaging complementary connector sections 6 and 28 carried at the respective ends of the intermediate roof rafters 23 as illustrated in Figs. l and 5. Obviously, a certain amount of clearance is necessary between the complementary connector sections to provide for `their convenient assembly. This is found sufficient to provide for the slight lateral movement necessary in the connector section 28 to provide for the subsequent interengaging of connector section 6 on the opposite end of a rafter 23 with a section 1 on the ridge pole. The roof-rafters 23 are constructed in exactly the same manner as roof rafters 23, with the exception that at the upper ends roof rafters 23 have the ends beveled for engagement in end to end relation on top of vertical members 2 as shown in Fig. 2, while roof rafters 23 have the ends provided with squared end'portions to engage in perpendicular relation against one surface of roof rafters 23 as shown in Fig. 6. This squared end of roof rafters 23' will be recessed at 42 to receive I-beam connector sections 1 on the roof rafter so that connector section 6 on roof rafter 23' may have portion 9 thereof welded to the inner face of the uppermost portion as shown in Fig. 6. This will assemble rafters 23 so that the upper faces thereof will be coincident with one of the upper vfaces of ridge pole 33 as shown in Fig. 6. This provides a smooth roof surface'on which the roof for the building is mounted.-

After all of roof rafters 23 and 23' are mounted in position by interlocking the connector sec- Ations thereof in a manner that will now be clearly understood, the rafters may be connected by supplemental roof framing members formed of channel bars 43 that extend between adjacent roof rafters 23 and 23'. This is clearly shown in Fig. l, illustrating these channel roof framing members 43 as being secured to roof rafters 23 and 23' by means of connector sections 6 and 1 respectively. The connector sections 1 are mounted on the sides of roof rafters 23 and 23 and connector sections 6 are welded to channel bars 43, the arrangement of these connector sections being clearly illustrated in Fig. 1 and the manner in which they are constructed and assembled being clearly apparent from the previous description of the structure of these sections. Each channel bar 43 is assembled in position by downward movement in the plane of the roof rafters to engage connector sections 6 with connector sectiens 1 with the ends oi' channel members 43 seating on the ends of connector sections 1.

Where windows are to be arranged at the ends of the building above the second floor level in a building of the character illustrated in the drawings, so that the windows come in the attic or roof portion of the building, these windows may be formed by providing a vertical channel bar 45 forming oneside of the window while the other side may be formed by vertical member 2 as shown in Fig. 2 with horizontal channel members 46 and 41 secured in assembled relation by means of connector sections 6 and 'l as shown in Fig. 2.A

The connector sections l'will be secured in each case by welding or the like on vertical member 2 and vertical channel member 45, while the complementary connector sections will be carried by the horizontally extending members 46 and 4l. Vertical channel member 45 will be secured by connector sections 6 and 'l to theI upper face of horizontal member 8. The horizontal channel bars 46 in being secured by connector sections 6 and l to vertical member 2 mayalso extend at the opposite end to roof rafter 23 and be secured thereto by means of a pair of connector sections similar to that disclosed in Fig. 5 in which a connector section 28 will be applied to the channel member 46 and a connector section of I-beam cross section similar to connector section 1 will Llll be applied to the under face of roof rafter 23. Horizontal channel bars 46 may be readily assembled in the building as shown in Fig. 2, by iirst attaching bar 46 to rafter 23 before it is placed in position in the building. Rafter 23 and bar 46 can then be placed in position in the building as shown in Fig. 2 by dropping the same' into position by vertical downward movement to interengage the complementary connector sections on the rafter 23 and bar 46 With the connector sections on adjacent parts of the building with which they are intended to interlock, as shown in Fig. 2. A supplemental vertical channel bar 48 may also be used to cooperate with the end structure of the building frame where members and 46 are provided for forming a window. in the roof portion of the building, in which the vertical member 48 will be connected by connector sections 6 and 'I to the horizontal channel bar 46 and to horizontal'member 8 on the second floor level of the building as shown in Fig. 2. This member 48 will cooperate with members 45 and 46 to provide a reinforcement for the roof structure and distribute part of the load stress on roof rafter 23. to vertical members 2 and 8 and to the supplemental vertical members 3 and Il.

Where a ceiling is to be constructed in the attic of the building, suitable ceiling supporting channel bars 49 may be provided extending horizontally across the building and having the ends seated inthe channel in the supplemental roof forming channel' members 43l as illustrated in` Fig. 2. It will also be understood that should the building have a ridge pole `of such length that some .intermediate support between the ends of the building is necessary for the ridge pole, this may b'e provided by vertical members 2 extending through the central portion of the building and secured to the ridge pole by means of suitable connector sections such as those shown in Fig. 3. The central portion of the building may also be provided with other vertical members 2 arranged at intervals to provide for'the erection of partitions in order to divide the frame structure for the dwelling house into the various rooms and the vertical and horizontal members for forming the support for floors and forming door frames and the like'will be constructed and assembled in exactly the same manner as shown for the outside `framing of the building as hereinabove described. When all of these framing members are as sembled into' the frame forming structure as illustrated by the drawings, it will be seen that the assembly of the parts does not require any special tools, that the ends of the horizontal members are supported on the connector sections carried by the vertical members, and that the supplemental vertical members have `end to rend engagement between the horizontal membersparticularly horizontal members 8 so that they will cooperate with the main' vertical members to provide for an efficient distribution of load stresses throughout the building to relieve the connector sections from carrying'the entire load; and throughl the distribution of load in the connector sections in such a way that they are not applied directly4 to the connecting portions that interlock the connector sections together, but are applied from the horizontal members to the connector section carried by the vertical member and in a short space of time, without the use of special structural tools or the fabrication of the lparts that enter into the building structure.

'I'he horizontal member` A8 in each case carries the oor Abeams 50 arranged in proper spaced relation to receive and carry the floors of the building.

Buildings may be constructed in accordance with the present invention without the use of specialstructural beams, because the structural.

members for the building are formed essentially of channel members that are welded together to form the tubular beams for the vertical and horizontal members. Plain channel sections are used to form other portions 'of the building asv hereinabovev described, while ordinary I-bea'm sections are used Without special fabrication to form the connector sections, so that it is only necessary to use standard material out to length and welded together without special fabrication for the purpose of forming the framing members of a building constructed in accordance with the invention. The connector sections similar to the connector sections 6 are the only ones requiring special formation of the parts and these are of simple form readily manufactured. It will be seen therefore. that a framing structure of metal for small buildings such as dwelling houses and the like is provided by this invention i lwhich may be constructed in the shop by the operations or labor to secure the erection of the building frame.

What is claimed is:

1.1 n a metal building structure, a vertical member, a horizontal member, and connectors for said members comprising an I-beam section mounted on a side of said vertical member in vertically extending relation with one side secured to said vertical member, and a clip mounted on the under side of the horizontal memberl formed of a' strip having opposite end portions extending in angular relation, one end portion being engaged on and secured to said horizontal member, and `inwardly extending anges on the sideedges'of the other end portion forming a channel receiving the other side of said section with said flanges and end portion embracing said other side of said section in slidable interlocked relation, said horizontal member having the end thereof seated on the upperA end of said section and terminating in adjacent relation to said vertical member.

`2. In a metal building structure, a plurality of spaced main vertical members extending the height of the building, spaced horizontal members extending in spaced relation at floor levels between said vertical members, connector sections on said vertical members formed of I-beam sections each having one side secured to said vertical members, the ends of said horizontal members seating on the upper ends of said connector sections, and complementary connector sections on said horizontal members slidably interlocked with the connector sections on said vertical members for securing said horizontal and vertical membersin assembled relation, the rstmentioned connector sections cooperating to dlrectly distribute the load stresses of the horizontal membersvv to the vertical members.

3. In a metal building structure, a plurality of spaced main vertical members' each formed of a pair of channel members permanently secured together at their engaged edge portions, I-beam connector -sections on said vertical members, horizontal members supported on the upper ends thereof, complementary connector sections on said horizontal members, each having angular portions, one secured to said horizontal member, and the other extending laterally in slidable engagement with the free sides of said I-beam connector sections, and extensions on the sides of the last-named portions slidably embracing and interlocking with said I-beam sections.

4. In a metal building structure, a ridge pole of tubular rectangular cross section, a vertical member for supporting said ridge pole, a connector section on said vertical member formed with an angular seat portion for receiving a pair of adjacent faces on theend portion of said ridge pole and a connector section on said ridge pole slidably interlocked with the lirst-mentioned connector sectionv through vertical downward movement.

5. In a metal building structure, a. plurality of spaced parallel main vertical members of a. length greater than the distance between two floors of the building, horizontal members extending between said vertical members'at oor levels with the ends abutting side portions of said main vertical members, a connector section at each end on the underside of each horizontal member each interengaged in interlocked relation with complementary connector sections on the sides of said adjacent main vertical members, said complementary connector sections being located under the ends of said horizontal members and having said horizontal members seated thereon, said connector sections being formed for slidable interlocking with one another by vertical movement and cooperating tofretain said hori-` zontal and vertical members against lateral movement, supplemental vertical members arranged in spaced parallel ,relation between said main vertical members and having the ends engaging central portions of said horizontal members, connector sections at -the upper and lower ends of said supplemental vertical members on the sides thereof slidably interlocked only by vertical movement with complementary connector sections on lower and upper sides respectively of intermediate portions of said horizontal members above and below the ends of said supplemental vertical members, said last-mentioned connector sections retaining said supplemental vertical members in connected position with and between said horizontal members against lateral movement.

6. In a metal building structure, a plurality of main vertical members in spaced parallel relation, horizontal members extending between said vertical members at spaced intervals, complementary connector vsect-ions on the side portions of each of said members adjacent the juncture between said members interengaged by vertical sliding movement and retaining said members in rigid assembled relation, the end portions of each horizontal member having seating engagement on the connector sections carried by saidv vertical members in said assembled relation for support thereby, supplemental vertical members intermediate said main vertical members in WIILIAM J. MCDERMOTT. 

